Time to Celebrate Your Achievements
How We Honor You
Award winners are formally saluted at an awards ceremony held during the AAMA Annual Conference.
All winners will be recognized on the AAMA website and in Medical Assisting Today, the association's official publication.
Several awards have additional rewards; click on each award's drop-downs to learn more.
Eligibility
Entries that were produced and presented in final form between June 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026, are eligible. The submitters, nominators, and nominees must be AAMA members.
Submission Process
Excel Award entries must be submitted electronically. Print newsletters can be scanned and uploaded via the online entry form available below.
Entries that do not meet all the submission requirements will be automatically disqualified.
Questions? Email MarCom@aama-ntl.org, and Awards Committee staff liaisons will help.
Deadline
All submissions must be emailed by or have a postmark deadline of July 15, 2026.
The submission window the 2026 Excel Awards is open!
Awards
These awards bring recognition to the most excellent publications, promotions, people, and more!
Membership Awards
Certification Awards
Awards of Distinction
Reward
Winners receive a trophy.
Restrictions
The following actions are prohibited:
- Submitting for same winning nominee for the same award. Distinction winners can only win the award once. Repeat nominations for the same award are automatically disqualified.
- Submitting for the same winning nominee for a different award. Distinction winners are ineligible for a different Distinction Award until three years has passed since their win.
- Submitting a nomination for an AAMA BOT member. Currently serving BOT members are ineligible for the Awards of Distinction.
Awards of Distinction
Golden Apple Award
Presented to the educator from a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) who supervisors and peers have nominated as a result of the nominee’s outstanding dedication to and accomplishments in the field of medical assisting education.
Complete the Golden Apple Award Entry Form.Leadership and Mentoring Award
Presented to the volunteer leader who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help meet the goals of the AAMA and to promote, therefore, the professional identity and stature of its members, and the medical assisting profession by having displayed outstanding leadership and mentoring abilities on the national level.
Complete the Leadership and Mentoring Award Entry Form.
Medical Assistant of the Year Award
Presented to the medical assistant who has been nominated by peers as an exemplary professional medical assistant and has displayed outstanding commitment to advancing the profession through service on the national level.
Complete the Medical Assistant of the Year Award Entry Form.
State Society Excellence Awards
Excellence in Community Service
Recognizes the best state society health-related community service programs (e.g., health awareness walks or events, blood drives, and food drives).
Complete the Excellence in Community Service Entry Form.
Excellence in Marketing, Promotion, and Recruitment
Recognizes the best state society campaign for such activities as recruiting members; promoting the CMA (AAMA) and the association; and marketing a special event (e.g., Medical Assistants Recognition Week or a state meeting).
Complete the Excellence in Marketing, Promotion, and Recruitment Entry Form.
Excellence in Publishing
Recognizes the best state society newsletters (including e-newsletters) and editors.
Complete the Excellence in Publishing Entry Form.
Excellence in Website Development
Recognizes the best state society website and web chairs.
Complete the Excellence in Website Development Entry Form.
AAMA Rising Star Awards
Presented to AAMA members in the early years of their medical assisting career and AAMA leadership journey for being outstanding leaders and demonstrable influences on their state society or local chapter.
Recognize the next generation of AAMA leaders by nominating worthy recipients for the AAMA Rising Star Awards. Use this opportunity to acknowledge their success and welcome them into the amazing AAMA leaders network that can help them reach their fullest potential.
Complete the AAMA Rising Star Awards Entry Form.
Medical Assistant Employer of the Year Awards
Presented to up to four medical practices, facilities, or health systems that employ medical assistants and are strong supporters of professional growth, particularly in the areas of certification, recertification, professional membership, and networking.
Complete the Medical Assistant Employer of the Year Awards Entry Form.